Olivia (9) runs her first half marathon for PCRF

6 March 2017

Nine-year-old Olivia Payne from Grantham has raised over £400 for PCRF by completing the Belvoir Challenge – an off road 15-mile run in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire - on 24 February. Olivia challenged herself to complete the event in tribute to her grandad Tim, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.

Olivia said: “I’ve been running since I was little and I enjoy it so much. My parents got me into running and encouraged me to carry on when times were tough. I was so excited when mum said I could take part.”

Running with her mum, Louise, and dad, Nick, Olivia finished in just over 5 hours. Louise said: “We are unbelievably proud of Olivia. We had no doubt she’d complete the distance, even though the conditions were really tough on the day – it was very wet and windy and extremely muddy but she never complained once. She wore her PCRF T-shirt with pride and got a lot of support en route which kept her going.”

“She was so proud to read about the new research projects that were being funded by people like her. She really feels that she’s made a difference.”

Olivia has big plans for 2017, so training won’t stop: in August she will be climbing Ben Nevis and she wants to complete her first full marathon in the next couple of years. With such talent and determination, we’re certain that she’ll achieve this! Great job, Olivia – thank you so much!